For non-disabled individuals, obesity can be caused by weight cycling, stress, social discrimination, eating-disordered behavior, poverty, and a list of other factors. The extra weight can add a great deal of stress on the body and the mind. Obese individuals struggle with social stigma, inappropriate humor, and perceived and actual discrimination, which can culminate in healthcare avoidance. This is alarming for many reasons, but especially because the obese population is more prone to complications like diabetes and vascular disease that can then lead to amputations.
For individuals in the limb loss and limb difference community, achieving or maintaining a target weight comes with even more impediments.
According to a 2020 study featured in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, people who sustained combat-related amputation developed obesity at a much higher rate than the general population. When patients are adjusting to a new lifestyle and adapting to wearing a prosthesis, staying fit understandably becomes a lower priority.
Providing care for patients with larger than average weight in the limb loss and limb difference community poses many challenges for clinicians, as options are limited for higher weight limits. At SPS, we often receive questions about supporting patients in the 350+ lbs weight range, and while there are limited options in the industry, we wanted to make it a little easier to find a prosthetic foot, knee, or component. We hope this leads to less stress for you and your patients.
The following includes products with the highest weight limits available at SPS for K2 feet, K3 feet, knees, and components.
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Weight limit: 440 lbs (200 kg) Supplier L Codes: L5980, L5986 PDAC approved? No (Click here to check the status) |
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Weight limit: 385 lbs (175 kg) |
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Weight limit: 365 lbs (166 kg) |
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Weight limit: 350 lbs (160 kg) |
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ALPS BioStep PRO |
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Proteor USA Freedom Highlander/Highlander MAX Weight limit Highlander: 365 lbs (165 kg) |
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Weight limit: 450 lbs (205 kg) |
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Weight limit: 440 lbs (200 kg) |
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Weight limit: 365 lbs (165 kg) |
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Weight limit: 500 lbs |
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Weight limit: 365 lbs (166 kg) |
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Blatchford KX07 4-Bar Polycentric K3 weight limit: 330 lbs (150 kg) |
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Fillauer Ibex XD Heavy Duty Line: 34MM Pylon, Clamp Adapter, 4-prong Pyramid, 4-prong Receiver Weight limit: 440 lbs (200 kg) |
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Bulldog Heavy Duty Components: Plates, Tubing, Clamps, Adapters, 6-Hole, etc. Weight limit: 500 lbs (226 kg) |
Options for bariatric patients are limited, but we hope to add more products with high weight limits as manufacturers launch new solutions. What is your go-to K2-K3 foot, knee, or component for bariatric patients? Leave us a comment below.
For questions about bariatric items, connect with our customer service team or clinical services team.
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Obesity and Healthcare Avoidance: A Systematic Review | National Library of Medicine
Time to weigh in on obesity and associated comorbidities in combat-wounded amputees | Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift | National Library of Medicine
